Contractor License Bond - City of Orlando, FL in Florida

Brief Summary

If you are a state-registered or limited specialty contractor, Orlando will not let you pull permits or schedule inspections until a contractor bond is on file with Permitting Services. The bond is small, the premium is modest, and once it is filed with your other registration documents the City says to expect a response within two business days.

The City of Orlando requires every contractor pulling permits in the City to register with the Permitting Services Division. State-registered and limited specialty contractors must also file a surety bond: at least $5,000 for state-regulated contractors, and at least $1,000 for specialty contractors not regulated by the state. State-certified contractors register with their DBPR certification and do not file this bond.

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How to Apply for a Contractor License Bond:

• Confirm your license type. State-certified contractors register without this bond.
• Choose the bond amount: at least $5,000 if state-regulated, at least $1,000 if a specialty contractor not regulated by the state.
• Gather a current business tax receipt from the Florida city or county where your business is located.
• Get proof of workers' compensation insurance or an exemption addressed to the City of Orlando, 400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando FL 32801.
• Buy the bond and have the surety stamp and seal it.
• Submit everything to Permitting Services online or by mail and expect a response within two business days.

Detailed Information About the Florida Contractor License Bond:

Which tier you are in, or whether you need it at all

The first question is how you are licensed. Contractors certified by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation register with the City using their state certification, a current business tax receipt and workers' compensation proof. The bond is not on their list.

The bond applies to state-registered and limited specialty contractors. The City sets two minimums:

• At least $5,000 for contractors regulated by the state.
• At least $1,000 for specialty contractors not regulated by the state.

What else Orlando wants on file

Along with the bond, state-registered and limited specialty contractors provide a current business tax receipt from the Florida city or county where the business is located and current proof of workers' compensation insurance or an exemption. Workers' compensation documents must list the City of Orlando, 400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando FL 32801.

The stamped and sealed bond can be submitted electronically, in person, by mail or by fax. Registration can be done online by uploading documents, or by mailing the City's form to City Hall, Permitting Services Division, 400 South Orange Avenue, 1st Floor, Orlando, FL 32801.

Keep it current

The City states that without updated documents on file you will be unable to schedule inspections or move forward with a permit. Send renewed bonds, continuation certificates and other updates to digitalpermits@orlando.gov.

What the bond guarantees

The contractor is the principal, the City of Orlando is the obligee, and the surety guarantees the contractor will comply with the City's rules for permitted work. If a valid claim is paid, the surety recovers that amount from the contractor. Premium is set by the surety after a credit review and is paid yearly.

Eligibility and Requirements for a Florida Contractor License Bond:

• City of Orlando named as obligee.
• Minimum $5,000 bond for state-regulated registered contractors.
• Minimum $1,000 bond for specialty contractors not regulated by the state.
• Contractor name on the bond matching the registration exactly.
• Bond or continuation certificate kept current with Permitting Services.

Florida Contractor License Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the Florida Contractor License Bond: